The Role of CXC Chemokines in Cancer Progression

Simple Summary CXC chemokines are small molecules and secretory peptides, which are significantly associated with cancer progression. Aberrant expression of CXC chemokines is always observed in cancer patients. An increasing number of studies have reported that CXC chemokines play essential roles in tumor angiogenesis, tumor-promoting inflammation, and metastasis, which favor cancer promotion. The expression level of CXC chemokines is closely associated with the clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of cancer. The specific roles of CXC chemokines and corresponding signaling pathways in cancer progression are summarized in this review. Furthermore, we have discussed the potential application of CXC chemokines for cancer targeted therapy and personalized treatment. CXC chemokines are small chemotactic and secreted cytokines. Studies have shown that CXC chemokines are dysregulated in multiple types of cancer and are closely correlated with tumor progression. The CXC chemokine family has a dual function in tumor development, either tumor-promoting or tumor-suppressive depending on the context of cellular signaling. Recent evidence highlights the pro-tumorigenic properties of CXC chemokines in most human cancers. CXC chemokines were found to play pivotal roles in promoting angiogenesis, stimulating inflammatory responses, and facilitating tumor metastases. Enhanced expression of CXC chemokines is always signatured with inferior survival and prognosis. The levels of CXC chemokines in cancer patients are in dynamic change according to the tumor contexts (e.g., chemotherapy resistance and tumor recurrence after surgery). Thus, CXC chemokines have great potential to be used as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Currently, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of CXC chemokines on tumor inflammation and metastasis remain unclear and application of antagonists and neutralizing antibodies of CXC chemokines signaling for cancer therapy is still not fully established. This article will review the roles of CXC chemokines in promoting tumorigenesis and progression and address the future research directions of CXC chemokines for cancer treatment.

Automated summary

CXC chemokines are small chemotactic and secreted cytokines that are dysregulated in multiple types of cancer and closely correlated with tumor progression. They play crucial roles in promoting angiogenesis, stimulating inflammatory responses, and facilitating tumor metastases. They have the potential to serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.